Introduction to Limit

The basic idea of calculus is to find the desired quantity by pushing to the limit the
process of taking a better approximations. In carrying it out, a real number x gives
rise to an approximation f(x) and the process of taking a better approximations is the
process of letting x get ever closer to a particular real number a (or possibly ∞). The
exact desired quantity is called “the limit if f(x) as x approaches a,” and it is written
as limx→a f(x).

In terms of the graph, limx→a f(x) is the value L that the height of the graph
approaches as x gets closer to a without actually equaling a. The reason for the
phrase “without actually equaling a” is that, in general, the formula for the
approximation f(x) will not make sense when x equals a (due to a division by zero
ordinarily). This is indicated on the graph by a circle above a, which means that f(a) is
undefined.
I. LIMITS
TABLE OF VALUES

Create Table of Values - choose x-values that approach the point of interest from both side Methods
in Finding Limit

1. Table of Values - Using table or values involves looking aat the values of a function as it approaches
a particular point.

Methods:

1. Identify the point you're approaching - if you're finding the limit as x approaches to 1, your x-
values might approaching to 1 from both side (slightly less/more than).

lim 3x+2, x-> 1

x 0.9 0.99 0.999 1.001 1.01 1.1

f(x)

.
2. Calculate the function value - for each x-value chosen, calculate the corresponding f(x) using the
function.

x 0.9 0.99 0.999 1.001 1.01 1.1

f(x) 4.7 4.97 4.997 5.003 5.03 5.3

3. Analyze the f(x) - if f(x) approach a single number from both side, that number is the limit.

x 0.9 0.99 0.999 1 1.001 1.01 1.1

f(x) 4.7 4.97 4.997 5 5.003 5.03 5.3

5. Express your findings - if the limit exist, write the number that approaching from the both side. If
not, write "Does not exist" or "DNE".
lim 3x+2 = 5, x-> 1
Examples:

1. f(x) = x²-14/x-3 = 8
lim x^2-14/x-3, x-> 4

x 3.9 3.99 3.999 4 4.001 4.01 4.1

f(x) 7.9 7.99 7.999 8 8.001 8.01 8.1

2. f(x) = x²-4/x-2 = DNE

lim x²-4/x-2, x-> 2
x 1.9 1.99 1.999 2 2.001 2.01 2.1
f(x) 3.9 3.99 3.999 DNE 4.001 4.01 4.1

3. f(x) =16x-8 = 40
lim 16x-8, x-> 3
x 2.9 2.99 2.999 3 3.001 3.01 3.1
f(x) 38.4 39.84 39.984 40 40.016 40.16 41.6

GRAPHICAL METHOD

DIRECT SUBSTITUTION

Theorems:

1. lim c=c, x-> a

2. lim x=a, x-> a
 3. lim (mx+b) =ma+b, x-> a
4. lim [f(x)±g(x)] = LM, x-> a
5. lim [f(x) *g(x)] = L*M, x-> a
6. lim [f(x)²] = L², x-> a
7. lim f(x) / g(x) = L/M, x-> a
8. lim n√f(x) = n√L, x-> a

The method involves substituting the value a directly into the function and evaluating the result,
provided the function is continuous at a and does not result in an undefined expression.

Methods:

1. Identify the function: Given a function f(x) determine the limit as x approaches a specific
value.
2. Determine its theorem: Choose what theorem use to the equation.
3. Direct substitution: Substitute (x -> a) into the function f(x) and evaluate the result. If the
expression is defined, this value is the limit

II.
LIMITS AT INFINITY

It is a mathematical way of saying "we are not talking about when x=∞, but we know as x gets bigger,
the answer gets closer and closer to 0". At this, there are two theorems to be considered:( Let n be a
real number).

1. lim
x→ ∞ ( x1 )
n =0

2. lim
x→ −∞ ( )
1
x
n =0

Steps:
1. Analyze the function what variable has the highest value of exponent.
2. Make the variable that has the highest exponent as denominator in every term.
3. Proceed by getting the limit by using the theorems provided.

Examples:

( )
3
x +2 x − 2
1. lim 2
x→ ∞ 3x

3
Step 1: x
 3
x 2x 2
3
+ 3− 3
x x x
Step 2: 2
3x
3
x

x3 2 x 2 2 2
lim 3
+ 3 − 3 1+ 2 − 3
x →∞ x x x x x 1+ 0 −0 1
Step 3: 2
= = = =+ ∞
3x 3 0 0
x3 x

2. lim
x→ ∞
( 5 2x −1
x
)
Step 1: x

2x
x
Step 2:
5x 1
−
x x

2x
lim
x →∞ x 2 2 2
Step 3: = = =
5x 1 1 5− 0 5
− 5−
x x x

3. lim
(2+ 3
2
x→ ∞ 10 x − 25 )
Step 1: x 2

2 3
2
+ 2
x x
Step 2: 2
10 x 25
2
− 2
x x

2 3 2 3
lim 2
+ 2 +
x →∞ x x x2 x2 0+ 0 0
Step 3: = = = =0
10 x 2 25 10 − 25 10− 0 10
− 2
x2 x x2

Understanding the concept of limits is fundamental in calculus. It's the foundation upon which
calculus is built, allowing us to grasp notions of continuity, convergence, and infinity.
LIMITS EQUAL TO 0(RANIEL)

LIMITS AND TRIGONOMETRIC

CONTINUITY

A function is considered continuous at x = a if and only if each of the three

following criteria is satisfied:

1. the function is defined at x = a

a. meaning that f(a) equals a real integer.
2. There is a limit to the function as x gets closer to a.
3. The function value at x = a is the same as the function's limit as x gets
closer to a.

Examples:

1. f(x)=

2. f(x)=

3. f(x)=
DISCONTINUITY

A discontinuous function is a graph function that is unconnected to each

other. If the left-hand limit and right-hand limit of a function f(x) both exist but are not
equal, the function is said to have a discontinuity of the first kind at x = a.

Examples:

1. f(x)=

2. f(x)=

3. f(x)=

Discontinuities come in two types: removable and non-removable.

Subsequently, non-removable discontinuities can be classified as either jump or
infinite discontinuities. Another name for removable discontinuities is holes. They
appear when rational functions can have components eliminated or canceled
algebraically.

•DISCONTINUITY
-Removable
-NonRemovable